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Saudi Housing Ministry Launches Kingdom’s First Metaverse Platform

The NHC has developed the new service using latest technologies and keeping pace with global trends. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The NHC has developed the new service using latest technologies and keeping pace with global trends. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Housing Ministry Launches Kingdom’s First Metaverse Platform

The NHC has developed the new service using latest technologies and keeping pace with global trends. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The NHC has developed the new service using latest technologies and keeping pace with global trends. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing announced the launching of Sakani Metaverse, the first platform of its kind in the Kingdom, in a step that aims at exploiting the interactive technology to raise the quality of life.

The announcement came during the ministry’s participation in the LEAP 2023 conference, which concluded in Riyadh on Thursday.

Eng. Rayan bin Abdullah Al-Aql, head of Individual Solution Sector at National Housing Company (NHC), said that Sakani Metaverse would expand the services provided to the beneficiaries, and improve their experience.

The platform will allow real estate buyers to view the properties through the Metaverse, without the need to conduct field visits.

The NHC has developed the new service using latest technologies and keeping pace with global trends.

Al-Aql noted that Sakani Metaverse is an interactive technology that would help in raising the level of quality of life, by showing the beneficiaries the various housing options, and providing new horizons for cooperation and investment with partners from real estate developers and brokers.

The second edition of LEAP - the largest technological conference of its kind in the world - was held this year in Riyadh under the slogan, “Towards New Horizons”.

More than 700 experts, scientists and specialized companies from around the world discussed the latest developments in virtual reality, creative economy, edutech, retail, Fourth Industrial Revolution, future energy, smart cities, fintech, and healthtech.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing signed agreements to improve urban planning services and develop infrastructure in cities, during its participation in an exhibition held on the sidelines of LEAP 2023.

The agreements aim to strengthen governance and exchange experiences between the government and private sectors, which will reflect positively on the urban landscape and raise the quality of life of residents.

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Saudi Arabia’s Private Sector Ends 2024 with Strongest Sales Growth

 The Saudi capital, Riyadh (AFP)
 The Saudi capital, Riyadh (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia’s Private Sector Ends 2024 with Strongest Sales Growth

 The Saudi capital, Riyadh (AFP)
 The Saudi capital, Riyadh (AFP)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil private sector concluded 2024 on a high note, with significant increases in sales and business activity fueled by robust domestic and international demand.
The Kingdom’s non-oil GDP is expected to grow by over 4% in both 2024 and 2025, supported by notable improvements in business conditions, according to Riyad Bank’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) report.
Despite inflationary challenges, the Riyad Bank PMI recorded 58.4 points in December, reflecting strong and accelerated economic recovery, albeit slightly lower than November’s 59.0 points.
The solid performance highlights improvements across non-oil sectors, with new business activity in December growing at its fastest pace in 12 months. This growth reflects rising domestic and global demand. Renewed marketing efforts and strong customer demand encouraged companies to boost production and expand operations, particularly in wholesale and retail.
The PMI has remained above the neutral threshold of 50.0 points since September 2020, signaling continuous expansion in Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economic activity.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) previously projected sustained momentum in Saudi Arabia’s non-oil reforms, estimating non-oil GDP growth for 2024 at between 3.9% and 4.4%. The IMF noted that growth could reach 8% if reform strategies are fully implemented.
Expansion in International Markets
A surge in exports was among the key factors driving non-oil economic growth in Saudi Arabia. December saw the largest increase in export orders in 17 months, underscoring the success of Saudi policies in opening new markets and fostering strong international trade relationships, supported by ongoing product innovation.
Higher domestic and international demand boosted production levels in December. Companies also worked to enhance operational efficiency, leading to a notable increase in inventory. Purchasing activity accelerated to its highest level in nine months, reflecting the sector’s ability to effectively meet rising demand.
Cost Pressures on Production
Despite significant growth in production and sales, the sector continues to face challenges related to sharp inflation in input costs, driven by heightened demand for raw materials. These pressures have led to higher product prices, although some companies opted to reduce prices to remain competitive and address elevated inventory levels.
Meanwhile, wage cost increases were less pronounced, helping mitigate economic pressures related to salaries.
Future Outlook
Dr. Naif Al-Ghaith, Chief Economist at Riyad Bank, highlighted the positive end to 2024 for the Kingdom’s non-oil private sector, reflecting the progress achieved under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. He noted that the PMI score of 58.4 points demonstrates the sector’s resilience and ongoing expansion.
Al-Ghaith expects non-oil GDP to grow by over 4% in 2024 and 2025, driven by improved business conditions and rising new orders, signaling increased market confidence and demand. Elevated domestic demand and export growth have pushed total sales to their highest level in a year. This, in turn, has led to strong increases in business activity and inventory levels, demonstrating the sector’s ability to meet and capitalize on excess demand, he underlined.